Canon Unveils PowerShot A710 IS, A640 and A630 Digital Cameras

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Canon's new PowerShot A710 IS, A640 and A630 compact digital cameras combine functionality with photographic simplicity, all in a compact form factor that fits snugly in the hand. These 7.1, 10.0 and 8.0 megapixel cameras pack a high resolution punch to ensure that consumers' most cherished memories are clear and crisp today and for years to come. As America's choice for digital cameras, The NPD Group reports that Canon has maintained its number one market position throughout the 2006 first half, with 23.0 percent unit share. In fact, the NPD Group's top 10 digital camera listing has included at least two of Canon's PowerShot A-series cameras within the 2006 first half as well.

Named for their use of AA batteries, Canon's A-series digital cameras offer comfortably placed controls and feature high image quality in order for consumers to capture, save and share images of meaningful memories, personal milestones and family functions.

The PowerShot A710 IS digital camera features a high resolution 7.1 Megapixel CCD with a 2.5 inch LCD screen, an optical viewfinder and a high-quality Canon 6x Optical Zoom lens, along with Canon's original Image Stabilizer (IS) Technology - making it the first A-Series model to provide image stabilization. The PowerShot A640 and A630 digital cameras are equipped with high resolution 10.0 and 8.0 Megapixel CCDs respectively. Both cameras feature a high-quality Canon 4x Optical Zoom lens, an optical viewfinder, and a 2.5-inch Vari-Angle LCD screen.

Each new PowerShot A-Series digital camera is equipped with Canon's nine-point AiAF "Smart" autofocus system. The A710 IS model offers 20 shooting modes, while the A640 and A630 models feature 21 shooting modes. The standard shooting modes are Full Auto, Program, Manual, Shutter-priority, and Aperture-priority. Additional modes include Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Special Scene (10 varieties), Stitch Assist and Movie. Two new shooting features for the A-Series line are Safety Zoom and Digital Tele-converter. The Safety zoom function allows users to comfortably explore digital zoom without sacrificing image quality while the new Digital Tele-converter digitally emulates having a traditional tele-converter attached.

The new A-Series digital cameras are also capable of recording VGA movies with sound at 30 frames per second for up to 36 minutes per clip with optional high-capacity 4GB SDHC memory cards, making them perfect for capturing memories in motion. The new cameras' grips are ergonomically improved, and the control layout is even easier to use then before. The large and bright 2.5-inch LCD screens feature TFT design for a wide viewing angle, and the size of the screens makes it easier for users to read menu settings and preview or review their photos.

Canon's enhanced (from previous models) 'My Colors' mode provides PowerShot users with an incredible range of creative photo effects, which can be accessed directly from the camera with no need for post-processing in a computer. Consumers can adjust a specific color within an image to modify the look and feel of their picture. Available My Color playback modes include Vivid Blue, Vivid Green, and Vivid Red; lighter and darker skin tones, as well as options for creating black & white, sepia, neutral and positive film effects. Where previously, users could only enable 'My Colors' while shooting, the updated My Colors mode lets users retouch captured images as well, without the need for special software applications or tools.

Because of Canon's proprietary DIGIC II (Digital Imaging Integrated Circuit) image processor, consumers can enjoy long battery life, smooth operation, accurate color reproduction, and excellent image quality. The DIGIC II chip combines the roles of image processing and camera function control into one chip, resulting in faster display and write times for each image and lower power consumption, which extends battery life.

With Canon's cameras and photo printers, consumer can enjoy a complete digital imaging solution from nearly anywhere. Located on the backside of the new PowerShot A-Series digital cameras is the Print/Share button. This button simplifies and accelerates direct printing to compatible Canon and PictBridge enabled printers and one-touch image transfer to computers for use with image processing programs, uploading to the Internet, or as email attachments. When consumers connect their camera to a compatible printer or computer via the supplied USB cable, the Print/Share button illuminates to let the user know to press the Print/Share button to begin the printing or downloading process.

The PowerShot A-Series digital camera kit includes a USB cable, audio and video cable, wrist strap, 16MB MultiMediaCard and AA-size alkaline batteries as well as the Canon Digital Camera Solution Disc Version 2.9, featuring the latest versions of Canon's powerful software.

* PowerShot A-Series - Optional Accessories
PowerShot A710 IS digital camera
- High Power Flash - HF-DC1
- Underwater Housing - WP-DC6
- Conversion Lens Adapter - LA-DC58G
- Wide Converter - WC-DC58N
- Tele-converter - TC-DC58N
- Close-up Lens 58mm 250D
- NiMH Battery & Charger Kit CBK4-300
- AC Adapter Kit ACK800

PowerShot A640 and A630 digital cameras
- High Power Flash - HF-DC1
- Underwater Housing - WP-DC8
- Conversion Lens Adapter - LA-DC58F
- Wide Converter - WC-DC58N
- Tele-converter - TC-DC58N
- Close-up Lens 58mm 250D
- NiMH Battery & Charger Kit CBK4-300
- AC Adapter Kit ACK900.

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